Three newbuilds will also have Wärtsilä's catalytic reduction systems and navigation systems
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Wärtsilä is to provide engines, hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems and integrated navigation systems for Virgin Voyages’ first three cruise ships.
Each of the three 2,800-passenger cruise ships will be powered by two eight-cylinder and two twelve-cylinder Wärtsilä 46F engines. The vessels will also be equipped with the Wärtsilä Hybrid Scrubber System, which can be operated in both open and closed loop modes using seawater to remove sulphur oxides from the exhaust emissions. Meanwhile, the SCR systems will significantly reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions.
Wärtsilä will handle the commissioning of the engines and scrubber systems in cooperation with Fincantieri, which is building all three newbuilds at its shipyard in Italy.
Virgin’s ships will also benefit from Wärtsilä’s Nacos Platinum solution, which integrates various control and monitoring systems for navigation, automation, emergency shutdown, flood detection, and power and propulsion. The solution enables the vessels to be operated homogenously from various onboard positions.
“It is an honour for Wärtsilä to have been selected to provide such a comprehensive range of solutions for this high profile travel business brand now entering the cruise sector,” said Fred Danska, director of Cruise Business at Wärtsilä Marine Solutions. “It represents further endorsement of the quality of our offering and the benefits of our capabilities as a single-source supplier.”
Virgin Voyages’ first-ever cruise vessel will start service from PortMiami in Florida, US in 2020. Her sister ships will be delivered in 2021 and 2022.
“We are very pleased to be able to partner Wärtsilä for our first series of ships,” said Stuart Hawkins, senior vice president of Marine & Technical at Virgin Voyages. “The company’s technical expertise, commitment to supporting our sustainability goals, and excellent reputation made it the best choice for us. Virgin Voyages is committed to creating a sea change, Wärtsilä shares our vision and will help make it a reality.”